Lil' SIPA | Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House

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Notes / Commercial Description:
Sometimes in life, we don’t want to sacrifice flavor for responsibility. That is why we created Lil’ Sipa, our Session IPA. Think of this beer as the one you drink when you want the kick in your face punch of a Double IPA, but not so much the knock you down blow that the higher alcohol of a Double IPA serves up. We found that the combination of Citra, Galaxy, Columbus and Cascade hops partnered up with some good ol’ American 2-row Barley makes the perfect crisp, bright, all day drinkable IPA that doesn’t end up being JUST what you need, but also, just what you want.

Maybe I should have Cracked! this open right after I got home, but I wanted to watch some Game 7 playov hockey and so I took a nap instead. I had good results with my earlier gentle Glug, especially coming out of these tallboy CANs, so I decided to CANtinue the trend. I got a brief finger of thin, bone-white head that quickly reduced to wisps as a result. CAN't win 'em all, I suppose. Color was a beautiful golden-yellow (SRM = &gt; 4, &lt; 5) with NE-quality clarity and of course the unholy trio of Midas, Mammon and Croesus showed up to wrestle amongst themselves for a taste. I learned a long time ago to leave them to their own devices. Nose was a muted grapefruit-citrus, leading me to wonder if AIPAs are a good idea for session beers. I am unCANvinced as I like my hops big and in my face. Mouthfeel was slightly on the thin side, reinforcing my questioning of this version of the style. The taste was unbalanced, very hop-forward and quite grapefruit-citrusy, but I did not mind that at all. SIPA as a pun on "sipper"? Not hardly. I was drinking this one down like water. The finish was semi-dry and easily drinkable. I am not a huge fan of low ABV AIPAs, but this would do in a pinch, especially if you are in the market for a session beer. Me = usually not.

More User Reviews:

This "little sipper" is an extremely muddled medium-dark yellow with a frothy pure white head that keeps up a full finger's height for a while before condensing to a thick foam that manages good patching.
Hops are a bit cheddary to the nose, then come in with a musky, dank sort of smell that makes me wonder if any Simcoe was used. Some citrus comes in underneath, with maybe a touch of dry malt to even and finish it out.
While I appreciate the hop-forward nature of the flavor, just a little more malt is necessary to achieve the balance it could have against the strong pith and chalky dry bitterness. That is eased by some juicy grapefruit, then a woody and resinous element pulls in. It's more lemony as it goes, and some herb runs in, too.
I didn't find the body to be terribly thin, but it runs that way at the end of each sip when the biting crispness beginning it dies off. It's a dry beer for sure, not so strong as to scrape the tongue, but close. It finishes with a grainy sort of texture before more dryness lingers.

Lil' SIPA brewed by Rivertown Brewing Co, with an ABV of 4.50% This brew pours out deep golden amber color, with a nice small white head. There is a slight cloudyness to this brew. The smell of Lil' SIPA , is rich with hops at first. Then you pick up on grains and malts. There is also a nice grapefruit smell to this brew. The taste of this IPA is bold with flavors. You pick up on hops and grain and malts. Lil' SIPA has the look, smell and taste of most IPA's on the market. Not saying that is a bad thing. There is nothing overpowering about Lil' SIPA. This IPA has a nice balance to it This is one of the more smoother IPA's on the market. I really like how smooth this brew is , this brew is a nice drinkable brew. The mouthfeel of Lil' SIPA , is rich , bold, clean, and smooth. Overall I'm giving Lil' SIPA a 4.5 out of 5. I would buy buy this brew again. Rivertown Brewing Co., did a nice job with this one. Thank You Rivertown Brewing Co.

Enjoyed from the can in a pint glass. Ale pours a lightly hazy yellow with firm white head and later thin pooling foam. Nose of bitter and citrus hops, light caramel malts, and a hint of lemon grass. Flavors are bittering hops up front, light caramel malts to the sides, and citrus hops to the rear that leaves a bitter aftertaste. Very crisp and wet on the mouth feel. Bittering hops linger on and on. Good session IPA. Rivertown is a newer brewer in Cincinnati that has some solid brews, and for a session IPA this of is solid.

T: Lightly hoppy, with notes of grapefruit, and orange peel, the finish turns a little towards the resinous side. I wish there was a little more malt presence. While this is a nice light session beer, it comes off a little watery.

M: Light, and refreshing with high carbonation. There is a little linger in the finish from the hops.

O: I like the hop profile, just wish there was more malt. The balance is a little off, and it comes off as watery.

A: The beer is clear yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that gradually died down, leaving a large patch of bubbles on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Light aromas of citrus hops are present in the nose along with some hints of passionfruit.
T: The taste follows the smell, having flavors of citrus and passionfruit hops along with a light amount of bitterness.
M: It feels shy of being medium-bodied and crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn't overly flavorful or bitter, but it it is definitely easy to drink and can be considered sessionable.